--- product_id: 199620 title: "The Feminine Mystique" price: "NZ$49" currency: NZD in_stock: true reviews_count: 11 url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/199620-the-feminine-mystique store_origin: NZ region: New Zealand --- # 4.6/5 from 2,127 reviews Classic feminist manifesto Top #5 in Feminist Theory The Feminine Mystique **Price:** NZ$49 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock the power of change—because true fulfillment breaks all molds. ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Feminine Mystique - **How much does it cost?** NZ$49 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/199620-the-feminine-mystique) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Timeless Relevance:** Experience insights that resonate across decades, still challenging societal norms today. - • **Used Book in Good Condition:** Own a piece of history with a well-preserved copy that’s ready to inspire your personal and professional growth. - • **Era-Defining Feminist Manifesto:** Dive into the groundbreaking work that reshaped gender discourse and ignited social change. - • **Intellectual Catalyst for Change:** Fuel your leadership and advocacy with Friedan’s powerful critique of gender roles and systemic inequality. - • **Top-Ranked Feminist Theory Bestseller:** Join thousands of readers who have propelled this book to the top of feminist and sociology charts. ## Overview The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan is a seminal feminist text that exposed the limitations imposed on women in post-war America, sparking a movement toward gender equality. Ranked top 5 in Feminist Theory and praised for its enduring relevance, this used copy in good condition offers a compelling exploration of societal roles, mental health, and systemic barriers that still resonate with today’s leaders and changemakers. ## Description desertcart.com: The Feminine Mystique: 9780393346787: Friedan, Betty, Collins, Gail, Quindlen, Anna: Books Review: Era defining feminist manifesto - The clear, forceful, and inspirational words that document the means of repression of women that came to fruition in the post-war era of the 1940s and 1950s. Friedan’s work stands out today as a clear historical record of what was and what could be again and should never be. Certainly, women’s right to lead a fulfilling and happy life like any man, continues to be a battleground in many parts of the world, but the progress sparked by Friedan and her subsequent work pushed the battle line in the right direction. The book outlines the post-war societal enshrinement of the “feminine mystique", an image of women that perpetuated the idea that true fulfillment for women could only be found through their dedication to housework, marriage, and raising children. Friedan argues that this limited point of view was the root cause of the rise of depression, related forms of mental illness, and substance abuse in women and that placing limits on any segment of society was holding back that society as a whole. Structurally, she places the blame on capitalistic exploitation of women’s desire to find fulfillment in a role that was sexualized and intellectually limited, on religion for perpetuating a structure that keeps women in a servant role, and on a legal structure that allows corporations to make hiring and salary distinctions purely on gender. That’s just a sample - there’s so much more. The work is not done. The feminine mystique persists today, and though lessened in potency, still holds many women back from becoming the most fulfilled versions of themselves. I read The Bell Jar ahead of reading this book to sample the brilliance and beauty of Sylvia Plath’s writing and to witness a woman crushed by the injustice inflicted on women during the postwar era. The combination of these books read back to back brings home the tragedy that befell a generation of women who were shackled by the trappings of the feminine mystique. Review: A surprisingly relevant classic - Beautifully written and insightful, The Feminine Mystique is also surprisingly relevant 60 years after it was published. Betty Friedan’s exasperation with women being treated as if “biology were destiny” will feel very contemporary when, for example, a debate about abolishing no-fault divorce is brought up in the news. Each chapter can be read mostly on its own. Some of the discussion will feel dated (such as her critique of Freudian psychoanalysis). But most of it will feel alive and kicking today. She is writing at the peak of the baby boom and sees it as a mixed blessing. Man this is a great book. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #10,285 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #7 in General Gender Studies #8 in Sociology of Marriage & Family (Books) #11 in Feminist Theory (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,129) | | Dimensions | 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches | | Edition | 50th Anniversary | | ISBN-10 | 0393346781 | | ISBN-13 | 978-0393346787 | | Item Weight | 1.02 pounds | | Language | English | | Print length | 600 pages | | Publication date | September 3, 2013 | | Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company | ## Images ![The Feminine Mystique - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61wZxAr6AwL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Era defining feminist manifesto *by L***R on November 21, 2025* The clear, forceful, and inspirational words that document the means of repression of women that came to fruition in the post-war era of the 1940s and 1950s. Friedan’s work stands out today as a clear historical record of what was and what could be again and should never be. Certainly, women’s right to lead a fulfilling and happy life like any man, continues to be a battleground in many parts of the world, but the progress sparked by Friedan and her subsequent work pushed the battle line in the right direction. The book outlines the post-war societal enshrinement of the “feminine mystique", an image of women that perpetuated the idea that true fulfillment for women could only be found through their dedication to housework, marriage, and raising children. Friedan argues that this limited point of view was the root cause of the rise of depression, related forms of mental illness, and substance abuse in women and that placing limits on any segment of society was holding back that society as a whole. Structurally, she places the blame on capitalistic exploitation of women’s desire to find fulfillment in a role that was sexualized and intellectually limited, on religion for perpetuating a structure that keeps women in a servant role, and on a legal structure that allows corporations to make hiring and salary distinctions purely on gender. That’s just a sample - there’s so much more. The work is not done. The feminine mystique persists today, and though lessened in potency, still holds many women back from becoming the most fulfilled versions of themselves. I read The Bell Jar ahead of reading this book to sample the brilliance and beauty of Sylvia Plath’s writing and to witness a woman crushed by the injustice inflicted on women during the postwar era. The combination of these books read back to back brings home the tragedy that befell a generation of women who were shackled by the trappings of the feminine mystique. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A surprisingly relevant classic *by A***N on August 24, 2024* Beautifully written and insightful, The Feminine Mystique is also surprisingly relevant 60 years after it was published. Betty Friedan’s exasperation with women being treated as if “biology were destiny” will feel very contemporary when, for example, a debate about abolishing no-fault divorce is brought up in the news. Each chapter can be read mostly on its own. Some of the discussion will feel dated (such as her critique of Freudian psychoanalysis). But most of it will feel alive and kicking today. She is writing at the peak of the baby boom and sees it as a mixed blessing. Man this is a great book. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A classic and a must read *by C***D on July 5, 2025* A classic, and a must read for every feminist! I bought this book for a book club. I bought the actual book and also the audiobook read by Parker Posey. It was interesting to discuss what has changed and what rights we are still fighting for. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Feminine Mystique - The Bell Jar (Modern Classics) - The Handmaid's Tale --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.nz/products/199620-the-feminine-mystique](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/199620-the-feminine-mystique) --- *Product available on Desertcart New Zealand* *Store origin: NZ* *Last updated: 2026-04-26*